Free Juice: The O'Malleys Book 1, contemporary Adult Romance by Michelle McLoughney Page B

outstretched hand. Her fingers touched his briefly and she felt his index stroke hers lightly. The intimacy of their connection had her eyes clashing with his. Her mouth was so dry that she couldn’t open it.
    His face was serious as he dipped his head and turned his back on her. She stared after him and watched as Rory made a point of finding Marie and giving her a goodbye handshake. She heard them laughing and snorted rolling her eyes to heaven.
    The card weighed heavy in her hand and she turned it over. The card was black with only the word ‘ Rory’ embossed in gold across the middle. And a personal mobile phone number. How many other women had held these cards? She wondered. She folded her arms and watched him as he left without a backward glance. She shook her head. That damn bossy man, was going to be hard work!
    “Whoa, Cass. You may be slightly over your head there. He is hotter than hell.”
    Marie was staring at her with her mouth open.
    “Did you see the way he was looking at you? Holy hell! He was eye-fucking you right there. Oooh, I feel so dirty.”
    “Jesus Marie, will you stop? This is a professional relationship, nothing more.”
    Marie snorted at her. “Cass we have known each other since we were four! I know when you are hot for someone. We have shared everything from our first shitty dates to losing our virginity. I still can’t believe you let Michael Livingston touch your vag, by the way. Don’t try to tell me you aren’t wet for Rory O’ Malley! Lie to yourself all you want kiddo, but I know you.” Cass scrunched up her face and made a puking face at Marie.
    “I’m going to stop you right there, Mar. Firstly, we swore we would never mention Michael and his micro-penis ever again. Secondly, I am not “wet” for Rory O’Malley. He is a client, nothing more.” Cass made air quotes simply because she knew they pissed Marie off.
    “He’s lovely, Cassidy. What the hell is wrong with you? And why didn’t you tell me earlier he was Irish? Nice accent isn’t it. Soft.”
    “Soft in the head more like! There’s nothing wrong with me Marie. I just don’t see the attraction.”
    Marie spent the rest of the day talking about Rory, until Cass finally forbade any further mention of the O’Malleys.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    (Cass)
    Honey is sweet,
    But don’t lick it from a briar.
    Irish proverb.
    B y the end of the day Cass was wrecked tired and more than ready to go home and shower before her meeting with Rory. She rolled her eyes when Marie insisted on coming to her flat to help her dress for the occasion. She was still ignoring Marie’s sexual innuendos and general annoying banter as she started to get ready.
    “I hope you are dressing to wow the crap out of him,” Marie said as she flicked through a magazine, crunching on some celery and peanut butter she had scavenged from Cass’ fridge.
    “I am not looking to wow him, by the way. I just don’t see the attraction,” Cassidy yelled back into the kitchen from halfway into her closet. Why was there nothing to wear for Christ sake?! Everything was too tight, or too revealing, or too safe, or too aghhhhhhhhhhh!!!
    Marie’s head popped around the corner, a stick of celery hanging from her mouth.
    “You don’t see the attraction Cassidy? I take it your temporary blindness is curable? You sure are going to a lot of effort for someone who you don’t give a shit about impressing.” Marie cleaned some peanut butter from her gums and plopped herself belly down on Cassidy’s bed, putting her hands on either side of her chin.
    Cassidy stood with her hands on her hips, black balcony bra teddy on and nothing else. She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes.
    “I will not give him anything to say, Marie,” she said stiffly.
    “I am a professional woman and he is a client. I will dress to impress, even if I’m not! Impressed, I mean.”
    Marie raised one eyebrow.
    “Hhmmmkay. Again, you sure are going to a lot